IPL 2026: Line and length key on 'tennis-ball bounce' wicket in New Chandigarh, says Rabada
New Chandigarh, May 29
Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada, holder of the Purple Cap with 28 scalps, said bowling against Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium was about sticking to line and length and adjusting to the 'tennis ball bounce' on offer in the Indian Premier League 2026.
RR, powered by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 96, Ravindra Jadeja's attacking 45, and Donovan Ferreira's late blitz of 38 not out, have set GT a daunting target of 215 if they are to enter the IPL 2026 final, where they will face defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Both GT and RR are aiming to enter their third IPL final.
"I think there was a little bit (of help) in that wicket. It's got some tennis ball bounce. So, trying to hang as much as possible in and around that area, and then adjust accordingly. That's always key, bowling is about line and length. The more you miss your line and length, the more you decrease your chances of getting a wicket.
"So that's what I tried to do - just be consistent. That's what we tried to do on this wicket. See what it offers, and then adjust accordingly and use your instincts as you go along," said Rabada, who also bagged the prized scalp of Sooryavanshi, in a mid-innings chat with the broadcasters.
Asked whether the pitch was slightly double‑paced, Rabada replied, "Not too much. I think the ball is coming onto the bat quite decently. They scored 214 runs, so that tells you that the ball is coming on pretty decently. But you still have to bat well. You still have to form some good partnerships, and then that's the way to chase this total."
— IANS
Reader Comments
True that—IPL pitches these days are getting weird. But Rabada’s consistency is what sets him apart. Even on a tricky surface, he knows where to bowl. That wicket of Sooryavanshi was crucial; he was looking dangerous. Let’s see if GT’s batting can step up now. 🏏
I’ve been watching IPL from the US, and Rabada’s analysis is spot-on. Tennis-ball bounce is rare in international cricket, but he adapted perfectly. GT might need a miracle to chase 215, but if anyone can do it, it’s them. Fingers crossed for a thriller!
Fair point by Rabada, but I feel the pitch wasn’t as bad as he implies—RR scored 214, so it’s clearly a batting paradise. The bounce was just a bit uneven, which is normal in Indian conditions. Our domestic players like Sooryavanshi and Jadeja showed how to handle it. GT should focus on their batting rather than blaming the wicket. Just my two paise on this! 😅
Rabada’s mindset is so professional—focusing on what you can control. That approach is why he’s a world-class bowler. The IPL final is shaping up to be epic with RCB vs either GT or RR. Can’t wait!
Bro, this pitch talk is overdone. Every IPL season we hear about ‘tennis-ball bounce’ or ‘slow turners’. Rabada is good, but our Indian pacers like Bumrah and
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.